Arquivo de News - Page 2 of 8

With the 2023 motto “Water is life – don’t waste it“, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action, the Águas de Portugal Group and the Portuguese Environment Agency, together with the Regulatory Entity of Water and Waste Services, are starting a new water scarcity awareness and prevention campaign.

As usual EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA., is associated with this active communication.

Portugal continues to suffer a long period of aggravated drought, and not even the extreme weather conditions of the last few weeks seems to make any difference. Dry and maximum exploited soils and lands, are unable to absorb precipitation.

At the same time, we start to feel water shortages, particularly in the south of the country, but while we wait for effective solutions, it is our duty to change some habits.

As we get closer to summer (which starts tomorrow, the 21st of June), it becomes essential to act in such a way as to make more resilient those vulnerable communities. This way, they will also learn how to use the precious natural resource, whose utilization and consumption tends to duplicate at this time of year.

There are several small gestures to change the current paradigm and face the effects of climate change. Learn more about what to do at https://portaldaagua.pt/ (Portal da Água)

EDM has accepted an invitation to join as stakeholder the European RadoNorm Project “Towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations – focus on Radon and NORM “. The project, funded by the European Union under EURATOM Horizon 2020 programme, aims to provide legal, executive and operational support to Member States and Associated Countries in the implementation of the Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation from Radon and NORM. The project includes 57 participants and organisations from 22 countries, where Portugal is represented by University of Porto, University of Aveiro and Instituto Superior Técnico.

EDM’s participation focuses on the collaboration within the tasks foreseen in WP2, which aims to obtain knowledge, methodologies and procedures, improving the characterization of the exposure of members of the public, workers and living beings to radon and NORM. To this end EDM will provide access to uranium mining legacy sites, in order to collect environmental samples, as well as information and data from these areas. Bilateral collaboration agreements between EDM and partners are being drafted.

This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2019-2020 under grant agreement No. 900009.

With the presence of Zélia Estevão and Edgar Carvalho EDM has participated in an Institutional Cooperation Mission to Mozambique, which took place between the 13th and 18th of April. The visit was under the Mineral Resources scope.

The mission took place under the scope of the Cooperation Protocol for Mineral Resources, signed between the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) and INAMI – National Institute of Mines of Mozambique. The visit was led by João Bernardo, General-Director of DGEG, and counted with the presence of the respective leaders of the Services Directorate for the Strategy and Promotion of Geological Resources (DSEFRG), Services Directorate for Mines and Quarries (DSMP) and Directorate of Institutional Relations and Market (DSRIM). The main objective of this mission was to enhance strategic cooperation in the area of geological resources between Portugal and Mozambique, through the sharing of experience, knowledge and information. These exchanges took place not only during the fields visit, but also during the meetings which were held with the National Institute of Mines, along administrators and district delegates from the provinces of Gaza and Maputo.

The mission also made it possible to obtain a better understanding of the reality in Mozambique, through technical visits to different geological resources explorations, namely the Chibuto Heavy Sand mine, the Rhyolite and Bentonite extraction areas of Namaacha and also from the sand extraction areas of Boane.

As part of the visit programme, there was also a meeting with members of the Portuguese Embassy and also with the Director of the AICEP delegation in Maputo.

The new intervention at the former Mining Area of Urgeiriça, is located in Canas de Senhorim, municipality of Nelas, and was under the Environmental Requalification Program of the Old Industrial Area of Urgeiriça, promoted by EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro S.A..

The requalification aimed to convert this historic and emblematic extraction area in Portugal into a new, renovated place and promote the testimony of the previous uranium mining, hence the History of Mining and its own legacy.

Atelier “Orgânica Arquitectura” was the responsible for this intervention, having requalified the old workshops of the uranium mines of Urgeiriça. The work and developed project have been already recognized in the specialised press and sectoral associations, as presented in the list of references below.

The architectural project consisted in uncovering the walls and roofs of the industrial buildings and reveal its steel structure, the network of infrastructures, the machines, the devices and the performative mechanisms that inhabit them, leaving their organization on display. Afterwards, an enclosure was developed, working as a protective shield, which acts as a natural light filter, yet allowing the interiors to breathe.

One of the spaces, the so-called CTW – Chemical Treatment Workshop is coated with the new “armour”, still keeping the memory of the past and honouring the mining activity.

The work operation included a set of necessary interventions for completing the environmental recovery of the former mining area of Urgeiriça, as contemplated in the Main Study of Radioactive Mineral Areas. This analysis has been subject to adjustments, in accordance with the objectives and goals established in the Director Plan of the Mining Area of Urgeiriça.

TECHNICAL INFO

Industrial Architecture

Location: Urgeiriça, Nelas – Portugal

Conception/Conclusion: 2015-2020

Gross Construction Area: 3500 m2

Project owner: EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro S.A.

Architecture: “Arquitectura Orgânica” – Paulo Serôdio Lopes

Collaboration: José Roque, Vítor Sá

Engineering: Future Proman

Industrial Archeology: EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro S.A.

Builder: Tomás de Oliveira, Almeida Cabral Brothers

Photography: Do Mal o Menos

LIST OF REFERENCES

worldarchitecture.org

https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/evccz/studio-orgnica-s-former-mine-complex-elegant-and-respectful-historic-regeneration.html

archdaily.com

https://www.archdaily.com.br/br/958660/reabilitacao-das-antigas-minas-da-urgeirica-organica-arquitectura

archello.com

https://archello.com/project/rehabilitation-and-valorization-of-the-former?fbclid=IwAR1jUoqkQ0rHkYyr6pvD3wW2FIORwJGXsHhDauQ8XLs7wKAVnGLkEBdaYmQ

metalocus.es

https://www.metalocus.es/es/noticias/con-atencion-al-patrimonio-y-su-memoria-rehabilitacion-y-puesta-en-valor-de-las-antiguas-minas-de-urgeirica-por-organica

espacodearquitetura.com

https://espacodearquitetura.com/noticias/organica-arquitectura-revitalizou-as-antigas-minas-de-uranio-da-urgeirica/

diarioimobiliario.pt

https://www.diarioimobiliario.pt/Arquitectura/Antigas-Minas-de-uranio-da-Urgeirica-reabilitadas

publico.pt

https://www.publico.pt/2021/03/04/p3/fotogaleria/as-antigas-minas-de-uranio-da-urgeirica-tem-uma-nova-pele-que-ganha-vida-a-noite-405563

EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. and the Cultural Association of Couto Mineiro do Pejão celebrated, on the 4th of December, the day of Saint Barbara (Patron Saint of Miners), in the old mines of Pejão.

The celebrations were marked by a set of initiatives providing the evocation and respect of the mining memory, crossing this strong identity with other cultural areas, such as music and literature.

The official ceremony also served for the launch of the company’s future investment in that region, regarding the rehabilitation of Germunde Well 1 (PG1).

The event was attended by EDM’s Board of Directors, Mr. Gonçalo Rocha, Mrs. Zélia Estevão and Mr. Jorge Cristino, the Municipal Council and Assembly of Castelo de Paiva, represented by Mr. José Rocha and Mr. Almiro Moreira, respectively, and the Union of Parishes of Raiva, Pedorido and Paraíso, with Mr. Joaquim Martins, as well as several Mayors, entities, collectivities and local personalities.

The PG1 intervention will have an estimated €2M work value, which will be supported by EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro S.A., within the scope of the next PT2030 Community Framework. This work will be part of a decontamination and recovery project to promote the efficient stabilization, recovery and enhancement of the historical mining heritage, and the improvement of environmental conditions.

As for the rest of the commemorative programme, we highlight a Mass with the Coral Group of the “Banda dos Mineiros do Pejão” – an homage to the former Mineiros do Pejão group -, also the book presentation “Do carvão à mais bela de todas as artes by the Banda de Música dos Mineiros do Pejão” with the presence of the authors, Mr. Manuel Joaquim Correia Soares and Mrs. Olinda Tavares Noronha, and finally the band’s concert at Igreja Matriz de Pedorido (with a tribute to Maestro Boaventura Moreira).

EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. thanks everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this initiative, with a special mention to the Cultural Association of Couto Mineiro do Pejão, the Castelo de Paiva City Council, the union of parishes of Raiva – Pedorido – Paraíso, the “Grupo de Danças e Cantares do Paraíso”, António Capelo, “Banda dos Mineiros do Pejão”, former Mineiros do Pejão group, “Estátuas Livres”, Adélio Gomes – Photographer and Aquapura Terrace.

In November 17th, EDM-Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. presented in a joint session with the Municipality of Trancoso, the framework to be carried out within the Contract for Environmental Remediation of the Mining Areas.

Held in the Multiuse Pavillion of Trancoso, the meeting presented the purposes for the Mining Areas of Ferreiros (Rio de Mel parish), Barrôco do Ouro and A-do-Cavalo (Moreira de Rei parish), Quinta das Seixas (Cótimos parish), Lenteiros and Reboleiro (Reboleiro parish). The investment in the application amounts a total 6 million euros, where 3.4 million euros refers only to the contract that takes place in this Municipality.

The session was chaired by Professor Amílcar José Nunes Salvador, President of the Municipality of Trancoso, and aimed to explain to the local authorities and population about the environmental remediation work that will be carried out in the region.

Representing EDM as speakers were the Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Gonçalo Rocha, accompanied by Mr. Luís Alves, who gave a brief overview of EDM, as a public company with the concession to carry out the activity of environmental recovery in degraded mining areas.

Meanwhile, Mr. Carlos Martins, in his capacity as Project Contract Manager, addressed to the audience the main objectives of the project, in a synthetic, objective and enlightening way.

Carlos Martins explained how the environmental remediation of the six former mining areas of radium and uranium exploration, that for decades were abandoned, are in need of an intervention. He also detailed how the rehabilitation process of the contaminated areas can promote a better environment and public health for all those who live in nearby locations.

The Route of Mines and Points of Mining and Geological Interest in Portugal (Roteiro de Minas e Pontos de Interesse Mineiro e Geológico em Portugal) promotes the broad offer of different locations, where educational services and activities, directed for schools, are of particular relevance. These are also granted in the several platforms on which the “Route” is present.

The current edition of the “Guide” is a continuous response to schools’ needs, concerning the organization of field-site visits, and the promotion of other training experiences.

The guide for the 2022-2023 school year contributes to the offer of the “Route of Mines and Points of Interest in Mining and Geology in Portugal” partners, providing other resources and proposing interesting pedagogical activities – in a hybrid/presential mode. These can also be developed in different contexts in which educational practices are today used and presented.

The Education Services Guide can be consulted or downloaded.

Turn Off the Tap is the challenge launched to the Portuguese society and entities to face the drought situation in Portugal. It aims to reinforce the urgent need to reduce water consumption in our country for populations and industry sectors.

The Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A. (EDM) is associated with the campaign “Turn Off the Tap to Drought”, promoted by the Águas de Portugal Group and the Portuguese Environment Agency. This movement results from the Measures to Combat Drought framework delivered by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action, and has the partnership with the Regulatory Entity for Water and Waste Service. It is also financed by the Environmental Fund of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Action.

Take a look at the video for more information and awareness:

The initiative “Educational Services at Points of Mining and Geological Interest in Portugal” took place yesterday in the Auditorium of the Secondary School of Arouca.

At the presentation, Mr. Gonçalo Rocha, president of EDM – Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, mentioned the “importance of this task” and how “ground-breaking is the knowledge and value that comes from geological and mining resources, which are not always understood by the population”. For the purpose of bringing the importance of the national resources into education, Gonçalo Rocha also referred how “teachers are fundamental, as they can act as vehicles of communication along the school community”.

Additionally, Miss Margarida Belém, in representation of the Arouca Municipality and also of the Board of AGA – Arouca Geopark Association, highlighted the virtues of knowledge and valorisation of the territory of Arouca, when shared in a collaborative way and when involving youngsters in their interdisciplinary study. Margarida Belém also declared that in order to promote “scientific culture, sustainability and the sense of belonging to a territory that belongs to all of us, (…) each teacher that we can capture for this educational work is an achievement”.

Finally, Mr. José Rosa, on behalf of the Training Centre of the Association of Schools of Arouca, Vale de Cambra and Oliveira de Azeméis, also praised the training action oriented for teachers with different subject backgrounds, mentioning that these teachers are already or will become involved in projects aligned with the wealth of regional and national heritage.”

Click here for more info.

EDMI – Empresa de Projetos Imobiliários, S.A., part of the EDM Group, is a company engaged in the development of real estate projects, management, acquisition, construction and resale of its private properties. Also, it has the responsibility in forestation of buildings, provision of real estate consulting services and similar activities.

As a result, EDMI promotes the sale of lots located in the “Allotment of Cerro do Malpique” real estate project, in the municipality of Aljustrel, through the carrying of two actions. The first, dedicated to explanation about the project, will occur in October 20th, at 4:30 pm in the Municipal Library, as the second action, concerning the Public Sale Session, will happen in November 10th, 2021, at the same place and time, as stated at the available announcement. It is also informed that the regulations for the public sales session will be available from October 20th, 2021.

The following documents are available for consulting and/or download: